How to get a tourist visa for Vietnam is simple, you can apply for an e-visa online, apply for a visa at the border, or use a service/agent. Basic documents include a valid passport, a portrait photo and personal information.
In my experience, applying for a Vietnam tourist visa is not too difficult if you prepare all the documents and follow the instructions. The online e-visa procedure is quick and easy, and using an agent is even more convenient, especially for first-timers.
What visa do foreigners need to travel to Vietnam?
When planning a trip to Vietnam, the first thing to know is whether or not you need a visa. Fortunately, some countries are allowed to entervisa-freewithin 14-90 days, making the procedure very convenient. Below is a detailed table of countriesFamily and maximum length of stay:
| Nation | Maximum length of stay |
| Chile, Panama | 90 days |
| Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom | 45 days |
| Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand | 30 days |
| Philippines | 21 days |
| Brunei | 14 days |
As for other countries likeUnited States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, I see you will need to aske-visabefore entering the country.
To qualify for visa-free entry, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months, have at least 2 blank pages, and sometimes you will need to prove your “onward travel”, that is, a ticket to continue to another country after leaving Vietnam.
I find that knowing this information before my trip saves time and hassle at the airport. For those whose passports don’t qualify for visa-free entry, it’s important to know how to apply for a Vietnam tourist visa in advance.
How many ways are there to get a visa for short-term tourists?
I have spent time thoroughly researching and summarizing in detail the ways to apply for a short-term Vietnam tourist visa, in order to provide you with a complete and easy-to-understand travel Vietnam guide, helping you prepare your documents conveniently and proactively before your trip.
Method 1: Apply for e-visa online
If your passport country is not on the visa exemption list, you will need to apply for aelectronic visa (e-visa). The Vietnamese government has upgraded the official website for making e-visas: https://evisa.gov.vn/.
- Length of stay:up to 90 days, applicable to all countries.
- Documents to prepare:Passport information page photo, portrait photo (can be a selfie), fill out the application form on the website.
- Expense:$25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entries.
- Note: E-visa cannot be extended; if you want to stay longer, you must leave Vietnam and apply for a new visa. Please apply at leasttoss2 weeks before the tripto avoid delays.
Method 2: Apply for a visa at the border (Visa on Arrival)
Visa on arrival is only applicable when entering by air and requires an invitation letter or travel contract from a company in Vietnam. This type of visa is convenient if you do not want to apply for an e-visa online, but need to prepare all the necessary documents before boarding the plane.
Method 3: Use a visa service/agent
If you want to avoid hassle or need a visa quickly, using the services of reputable agents is a very convenient option. I have experienced and found that agents will help you with the procedure from A to Z, from preparing documents, filling out forms, to receiving the approved visa via email.
- Lynn Showin Da Nang:Support for e-visa application and border run from Da Nang/Hoi An.
- IzyVietin Ho Chi Minh City: Support for multiple visa types, including pick-up service at the border.
I started using your services.Lynn Visain Da Nang in 2018. In addition to the website, you can contact her viaFacebookLynn Visa supports many types of Vietnam visa application services, including immigration services from Da Nang and Hoi An.
I have also used the service ofIzyVietin Ho Chi Minh City. This is the pageFacebooktheir. IzyViet supports a variety of visa types, including pick-up service at the border gate from Ho Chi Minh City, which is very suitable if you want to do border run or apply for a visa quickly.
There are many other agents, but in my opinion, starting with the above options will be safe and worthwhile.trust. If you need help orIf you have any questions about visas or agents, please contact me inVietnam travel planning groupt Nam, I will give you specific instructions to help you prepare your documents easily and quickly.
04 Basic conditions and requirements when applying for a visa
When applying for a Vietnam tourist visa, there are a number ofbasic conditions and requirementswhich I recommend you to understand clearly to make the procedure go smoothly:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months:Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Vietnam and have at leastt 2 blank pagesto close dThis is a mandatory requirement and if you do not meet it, you will be denied a visa in the first place. I advise you to check the expiry date of your passport before preparing your application.
- Valid portrait photo: When applying for an e-visa or visa at the border, you need toclear portrait, neutral background. You can take a selfie as long as it looks like a passport photo. According toIn my experience, preparing good quality photos will avoid system errors and save time.
- Onward travel proof: Some airlines require you to present anh onward ticketafter leaving Vietnam.This is not always asked, but I recommend having your flight tickets ready or making a provisional booking to avoid being denied check-in at the airport.
- Immigration and legal history: If you everoverstay, bag expulsion, or wanted by INTERPOL, the possibility of visa rejection will be high. I advise you to make sure your entry history is clean to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Understanding these four basic conditions will help you prepare complete documents, avoid delays, and increase the chances of getting a successful visa. In my experience, careful preparation in advance will make your trip to Vietnam smoother and more relaxing.
If you are wondering how long does it take to get a Vietnam visa, planning ahead and submitting all required documents properly can save you unnecessary waiting time and stress.
Practical review of the visa process
I am currently living abroad and have directly experienced applying for a Vietnam tourist visa before entering through the border gates in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. I would like to share this experience in detail for your reference.
#1. Apply for an electronic visa (e-visa)
ased on my experience applying for a Vietnam e-visa, I found the process quite convenient but also needed to be a little careful. I made the application through the new government website: https://evisa.gov.vn/, and I also tried the old page https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/.
While preparing for the trip, I also researched the best ATMs to withdraw money in Vietnam to ensure I would have easy access to cash upon arrival.
When applying for an e-visa, what do I need to prepare?clear photo of passport page and personal photo- Luckily, I took a selfie at home and it was still acceptable, as long as the background was neutral. The online application form was pretty simple, it only took a few minutes to upload the photo and fill in the information.
I chosesingle entry visawith a fee of 25 USD because you only plan to stay in Vietnam once, but if you plan to travel many times, the 50 USD multiple entry visa will be more convenient.
My point is,The site sometimes lags or has errors loading images., so it is best to apply at least10 working days before the trip. I was also asked to edit my information due to a few minor errors, but once completed, the visa was sent straight to my email, ready to use. Overall, the experience was pretty smooth, just be prepared and check your email regularly.
#2. Apply for a visa offline (through an agent or at the border gate)
On another trip, I decided to try the visa application experience at the border. I contacted a reputable agent, Lynn Visa in Da Nang, in advance, and they prepared the visa approval letter for me. This was a really helpful example of how to get a tourist visa for Vietnam. When I arrived at Lao Bao border, I just had to submit the letter, photo, and visa fee, and then immediately received the visa stamped in my passport.
Feel relieved that everything is well taken care of, no need to worry about paperwork. If you are in Ho Chi Minh City, IzyViet also has a similar service at Moc Bai border gate. This is convenient if you are near the border or need a visa urgently.
#3. The process of entering Vietnam
I have direct experience driving across the border from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang (Hoi An). If you enter Vietnam thwaist areavisa-freeand if you want to stay longer, you will have toexit and re-entrybecause the visa exemption cannot be extended. You can exit andre-entry on the same day, and there is currently no limitabout how often to do this.
If you enter byelectronic visa, if you want to stay longer, you are required to leave Vietnam. However, youCannot apply for a new e-visa while still in Vietnam, because the system will mark you as “still in Vietnam”.
You will have two options to continue staying:
- Fly to a neighboring country and reapply for a visa: You can fly to countries near Vietnam such as Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and then apply for a visa.Vietnam e-visavia the official website. The trip should take about 4-5 working days to ensure the visa is issued in time. Another variation is to book an agent service, fly out for a week, and return withnew e-visa.
- Use a service/agent to cross the border: Many agencies offer border crossing packages, which includeVietnam e-visa next, border country visa, and shuttle bus. This is the most economical way in terms of effort but the trip is quite long.
- Motorbike exploration option: If you are adventurous, you can drive yourself through Cambodia or Laos, pleasenext e-visa, spend a few days exploring and then return to Vietnam.
Overall, from personal experience, applying for a Vietnam tourist visa is not too complicated if you plan early and choose the option that fits your schedule.My advice if you want to save time and avoid trouble, using a reputable agent to support you with your cross-border visa application is a safe and effective choice.
Answers to frequently asked questions about Vietnam tourist visa
When preparing to travel to Vietnam, I have compiled some common questions that many travelers often wonder based on personal experience and the visa application process from abroad, including tips on how to apply for a Vietnam tourist visa.
#1. What if my Vietnam visa expires?
As far as I know, if your visa expires and you are still in Vietnam,This may result in administrative fines or temporary ban on entry. With e-visa or visa exemption, the safest way isexiting Vietnam and re-entering, you can use an agent service to expedite it if needed. There is no direct way to renew while in the country.
#2. Can a tourist visa be converted to a work visa?
I have found out, tourist visacannot be transferred directly to a work visaIf you want to work in Vietnam, you will needExit and apply for appropriate visa at Vietnamese representative agencies abroador ask an agent to support you with the work visa application process from the beginning.
#3. What if I lose my passport or visa?
NIf you lose your passport or visa, you shouldImmediately notify the local embassy or consulate.to be issued temporary documents. At the same time, contact the Vietnamese immigration authority or a reputable agent toapply for a new visa or emergency entry permit.
#4. Tips and notes when applying for a Vietnam tourist visa
If you just want to visitPhu Quoc, you are lucky becauseAll citizens are exempt from 30-day visas. The basic requirements are still a passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least two blank pages, andproof of next tripYou can transit through any airport in Vietnam as long as your final destination is Phu Quoc, which is very convenient if you just want to visit the island without needing a long-term visa.
For other destinations in Vietnam,proof of next tripIt’s also important. In my experience, airlines may require it, but it’s not always consistent. A ticket out of Vietnam or a return ticket is enough. If you’re not sure about your stay, you can book a cheap flight to a major hub like Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, then cancel or skip it. Services likeOnward Ticketalso helps you create proof of travel without buying a physical ticket.
These tips are extremely useful if you enter Vietnam as a tourist.visa-freeor useelectronic visa, especially if you want to stay longer than the allowed period. I find that preparing in advance helps the entry process go smoothly and avoidsunnecessary trouble.
Conclusion
The request for a Vietnam tourist visa becomes simpler when you understand methods like e-visa online, visa at the border often using a reputable agent, and prepare all necessary documents and evidence for your next trip. This is a practical guide on how to get a tourist visa for Vietnam.
For those who only visit Phu Quoc, the 30-day visa-free program is very convenient; if you also want to explore the mainland, e-visa or agency services will help save time and give you peace of mind. Careful planning will help your trip go more smoothly and be more complete.
